SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 227, 4 March 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

NOTES BY MOTUKOA TUB OPUNAKE .MEETING. Tlie njxt gathering of ink-rest to Taranaki sportsmen is tile u|>uiiu*vm Racing Clubs annual meeting, to lie •held on Wednesday week. The various handicap events idled splendidly, ana aanilieapper Uco. Morse appears to have framed m» weigats carefully. The result w tiiat good tie.ds are practically assured and an enjoyable ounng awaits those wuo can niaKe t:ie trip. By adopting a progressive policy tile Opiiuake Racing Club lias made a decided atep towards raising the meeting above the ordinary picnic gathering class. Opunake is within easy reach of New Plymouth, Stratford, ilawera, and even Wanganui, and there is no reason why good stakes should not attract Worses from all these centres. But a club must feel its way in these unsettled times, and our Opunake friends are no doubt wise in not launching out too deeply until things assume normal conditions.

Charuinade fills the role of top-weight in the Opunake Cup with 9.6, and appears to have earned that impost, though many will prefer Quo Vodis 8.2 and Ngapoto 8.12. The latter pair are very fit at present, and both give promise of getting over a distance of ground.

The President's Handicap has drawn thirteen horses, and looks an open race. Quo Yadis should have more friends than Kgapoto at a difference of 101b in the former's favor, and Cantain, Miro and Styrax may also have to be reckoned with. Styrax has been improved by racing over hurdles, and he should run more kindly on the flat now. If Ascalon doe 3 not incur penalties in tlie interim he looks like starting a warm favorite in tlie Hiwdle Race. Katua and Advancer have also form to recommend them, though Ascalon is the most consistent one engaged.

Avon iPark's Wanganui victory has caused him to rank on the Ost. mark with Calais in the Flying Handican. At the weights Avon ;Park reads best over six furlongs, but Glenroy, Fortify and Rosalys all have a chance. The Welter will see Lady Amai, Rosalys and Patronata in action. This trio may fight out the finish.

Acceptances for all handicap events, and entries for the Maiden Plate, Electric Stakes, and 'Farewell Stakes close on Saturday, March C, at 5 p.m. The Dannevirke autumn meeting will b e concluded to-day. Timothy has been sold to Mr. W. Tuck for forty guineas. He is a cheap nag if he hasn't lost his pace. Presumably Di Gama started and got beaten in the Australian Cup on Tuesday. It was asking him a hi." question to carry 95 to the end of 2-Vi miles. The winner, Lempriere, only had 7.4, and has shown some good form this seaeon. Di Gama will be racing over a more favorable distance to-day in the Lloyd Stakes, one mi!e, in which he das 9st. to carry. His most dangerous opponent may be the Essendon Stakes wjnner, Land of Song. The latter is an import*! horse by Llangibbv—Aliena, and is a very high-class performer up to a mile and a half, A RACEHORSE PURCHASED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, March 3. Mr. Sam Hordern has purchased the racer Onazer for 1200 guineas.